Interface hose seal for low permeation flange of a fuel supply unit

Abstract

A flange structure (10) is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16′) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end (22) includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20′) is overmolded on at least a portion of the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.

1. A flange structure for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle, the flange structure comprising:
 at least one electrically conductive fuel port having an inner periphery, an outer periphery, and first and second ends, the first end including first barb structure, the inner periphery being constructed and arranged to contact fuel such that electrostatic energy caused by fuel flowing through the fuel port can be dissipated by grounding due to the conductive fuel port, the second end being a generally cylindrical tube constructed and arranged to be accessible to be connected at an engine side of a vehicle, 
 a non-electrically conductive plastic flange overmolded on at least a portion of the outer periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends such that both the first and second ends of the fuel port have no outer periphery covered by the overmolded flange, the flange having a first surface and an opposing second surface such that the first surface is constructed and arranged to be exposed to an interior of a fuel tank of a vehicle with the second end of the fuel port being accessible outside of the second surface of the flange and at an exterior of the fuel tank and the first end of the fuel port being generally adjacent to the first surface of the flange and constructed and arranged to extend into the interior of the fuel tank, a portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the outer periphery of the fuel port near the first end being constructed and arranged to extend into the interior of the fuel tank and defining fitting structure having second barb structure, and 
 a hose coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange. 
 
     
     
       2. The flange structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel port is composed of electrically conductive plastic. 
     
     
       3. The flange structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer periphery of the fuel port includes surface features that engage with the overmolded flange. 
     
     
       4. The flange structure of  claim 3 , wherein the surface features include a plurality alternating peak and valley features. 
     
     
       5. The flange structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first barb structure includes at least one annular barb. 
     
     
       6. The flange structure of  claim 5 , wherein the second barb structure includes at least one annular barb. 
     
     
       7. The flange structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel port has a reduced outside diameter portion as compared to a diameter of the first end thereof, the fitting structure being overmolded on the reduced diameter portion such that an outside diameter of the fitting structure is substantially equal to an outside diameter of the first end of the fuel port. 
     
     
       8. The flange structure of  claim 7 , wherein the first barb structure is on the outside periphery of the first end of the fuel port and the second barb structure is on the outside periphery of the fitting structure. 
     
     
       9. A flange structure for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle, the flange structure comprising:
 at least one electrically conductive fuel port having an inner periphery, an outer periphery, and first and second ends, the first end including first means for sealing, the inner periphery being constructed and arranged to contact fuel such that electrostatic energy caused by fuel flowing through the fuel port can be dissipated by grounding due to the conductive fuel port, the second end being a generally cylindrical tube constructed and arranged to be accessible to be connected at an engine side of a vehicle, 
 a non-electrically conductive plastic flange overmolded on at least a portion of the outer periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends such that both the first and second ends of the fuel port have no outer periphery covered by the overmolded flange, the flange having a first surface and an opposing second surface such that the first surface is constructed and arranged to be exposed to an interior of a fuel tank of a vehicle with the second end of the fuel port being accessible outside of the second surface of the flange and at an exterior of the fuel tank and the first end of the fuel port being generally adjacent to of the first surface of the flange and constructed and arranged to extend into the interior of the fuel tank, a portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port near the first end being constructed and arranged to extend into the interior of the fuel tank and defining fitting structure having second means for sealing, and 
 a hose coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second means for sealing providing a seal with respect to the hose thereby preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the flange. 
 
     
     
       10. The flange structure of  claim 9 , wherein the fuel port is composed of electrically conductive plastic. 
     
     
       11. The flange structure of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the outer periphery of the fuel port includes surface features that engage with the overmolded flange. 
     
     
       12. The flange structure of  claim 11 , wherein the surface features include a plurality of alternating peak and valley features. 
     
     
       13. The flange structure of  claim 9 , wherein the first means for sealing includes at least one annular barb engaging an inner surface of the hose. 
     
     
       14. The flange structure of  claim 13 , wherein the second means for sealing includes at least one annular barbs engaging an inner surface of the hose. 
     
     
       15. The flange structure of  claim 9 , wherein the fuel port has a reduced outside diameter portion as compared to a diameter of the first end thereof, the fitting structure being overmolded on the reduced diameter portion such that an outside diameter of the fitting structure is substantially equal to an outside diameter of the first end of the fuel port. 
     
     
       16. The flange structure of  claim 15 , wherein the first means for sealing is barb structure on the outside periphery of the first end of the fuel port engaging an inner surface of the hose and the second means for sealing is barb structure on the outside periphery of the fitting structure engaging an inner surface of the hose.